Description
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Photo by Stewart Dean
When people ask me why I go to dance camp, I always say it’s because there’s nothing like going on vacation with all of your friends. English Week is this rare opportunity to come together with our community and participate in this sport of English dancing we love so much in one of the most beautiful and magical places anywhere, Pinewoods Camp.
In this CDSS centennial year we will celebrate English Week’s past, present and future. We’ll compare and contrast the country and ritual dances people were dancing in the first dance weeks at camp, and the music that accompanied them, to what and how we dance and play today. We’ll think about the notion of “English dance” and how that meaning has changed and will continue to evolve.
Each day, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from our fabulous teaching and music staff. We’ll enjoy English country, morris, rapper, clogging, longsword, singing, music classes, a daily American dance class, and on and on... Evening dances will feature a wide range of both favorite and about-to-be favorite English country dances, plus a nightly dance "For Those Who Know.”
Camp is also an opportunity for you to make things happen: throw a chocolate party, volunteer to host a pub sing, teach people how to make marble machines, serenade camp as we wait on line for dinner. The possibilities are endless. And from experience I can tell you that it never hurts to bring a tiara to camp - just in case...
Need a break from dancing? Carve out time in your schedule for swims, sunning on dock, a daily yoga class, tea time, games, a walk, a nap, and of course laughing yourself silly at the daily all-camp gathering. Meet dancers and musicians from everywhere; find your next favorite partner.
I look forward to seeing you all there. Don’t forget to save me a dance!
~ Joanna Reiner, Program Director
Staff
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Joanna Reiner
STAFF
Peter Barnes
John Dexter
Earl Gaddis
Lisa Greenleaf
Ethan Hazzard-Watkins
Nathaniel Jack
Debbie Jackson
Kalia Kliban
Tom Kruskal
Mary Lea
Gene Murrow
Anna Patton
June Rowlands
Meg Ryan
Gillian Stewart
Dave Wiesler
* ADVISORS, PLUS
Steve Howe
Location
ABOUT PINEWOODS CAMP
CDSS has been at Pinewoods Camp since 1933. Located on 25 acres of woodlands near Plymouth, Massachusetts, it provides the setting for educational vacations filled with music and dance. Spacious, wooden outdoor dance pavilions are nestled among the towering pines. Cozy two-person cabins offer accommodations between two beautiful lakes, which are ideal for swimming, kayaking, canoeing and relaxing. The main pebbly beach has a long dock, with deep-water swimming to the anchored raft offshore. Scattered along the shores of the two lakes are other, more private, entries to the water. Gatherings, parties and concerts are held in the lakeside Camphouse, next to the main beach. The open-air, lakeside Dining Hall offers delicious meals and a congenial atmosphere for meeting new friends. With their large stone fireplaces, both the Dining Hall and the Camphouse provide a warm place to gather in cooler weather.
Plan your packing so that you can carry luggage to your cabin over narrow, sometimes uphill paths. There are carts available in the parking areas to help with loading or unloading.
Pinewoods is about a one hour drive from Boston, MA, and about five hours from New York, NY. It is accessible by train, bus and van service.
GETTING TO CDSS PROGRAMS AT PINEWOODS BY PUBLIC TRANSIT
It is easier than ever to get to CDSS programs at Pinewoods Camp from Boston's Logan Airport or South Station! Book a flight that arrives by 1p.m. (or train that arrives by 1:40) and reserve a seat (log in to CDSS Commons and find the van reservation link on Your Registration) on the 2:00 van to camp – this is the earliest we will be ready to receive you. The van runs from Logan Airport and South Station right to camp, where the greeters will help you unload at the place most convenient to your cabin. You can also reserve a seat for your 9:45 departure on the last day of camp, suitable for flights, or trains, noon and later. Please reserve your van seats at least 10 days before you arrive. We cannot guarantee space for late reservations. Van seats are $30 in each direction.
ARRIVAL TIME
The program begins with swimming and an informal tour of camp on the afternoon of the first day; followed by an orientation meeting and dance after dinner.
Arrival time is after 3:00pm on the starting Saturday. Departure is by 10:00am the final Saturday.
PACKING SUGGESTIONS
You will need to bring a flashlight to find your way around at night. A battery powered or wind up alarm clock and insect repellent may be useful. If you are on a special diet, you may need to bring your own particular food. An ice chest for drinks and snacks to share at after-dance parties may be handy; there is some refrigeration available. A specific packing list is sent with acceptance information.
Don't forget to pack your swimsuit, raincoat, sweater, towels, bed linen, and blankets or a sleeping bag. An extra blanket could be needed.
STORES
The nearest stores are a 15-30 minute drive away.
HOUSING
All participants are assigned on-site housing in the month before camp starts. Space is limited; we can't guarantee that all specific requests will be filled. Requests may be made on the Registration Form or with information sent later.
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A cluster of cabins on the Hill
(photo by Bruce Holmes)Most housing is in double-occupancy cabins with bathrooms close by. There are some buildings with several single rooms, as well as a few houses with a variety of bedrooms and bathrooms. Double cabins tend to be quieter than singles or houses.
General housing categories at Pinewoods are:
- Quiet or party areas
- Double or single occupancy
- Double cabin
- Building with bathroom
- Specific area or building
For Family and Campers' Weeks, housing will be assigned based on the age of the youngest family member; most children over six are assigned a roommate in a cabin near their parents.
JOBS
In the cooperative spirit of camp life, all campers have a daily job to help camp run smoothly.
Jobs are usually a half hour or less per day, every day, and the same job all week. Jobs are assigned in the month before camp starts; you have the opportunity make specific requests about your job assignment either on the Registration Form or later with your Registration Status Form.
We can't guarantee that all specific job requests will be filled, but please let us know if you have a preference or limitation (e.g., dust allergy, unable to lift heavy objects, can't stay up late, can't get up for breakfast).
At family sessions parents are generally assigned a job with their young children.
General job categories are:
- Dining room: breakfast, lunch or dinner (set/clear tables)
- Kitchen (serve food, clear, wash dishes, make coffee/tea)
- Sweeping (pavilions, community areas)
- Party help (late night party setup/cleanup)
- Clerical (office, bookstore, auction)
- Greeters (must be able to arrive by 2:00pm)
- Gopher (campstore, auction, lifting)
PHONE & COMPUTERS
Though your plate will be full with activities while at camp, for those of you who must keep in contact with work or home, there are options. There is first class mail and UPS service. We do ask that laptops and cell phones be kept out of the awareness of other campers. Even if you can't, others want to enjoy this time away from the reminders of work-a-day living.
There is a touch-tone phone for camper use; you will need a calling card to make long distance calls. Cell coverage is ok.
Life at Camp
WHILE AT CAMP
The noises of modern life are replaced by music and the sounds of dancers, singers and the laughter from the waterfront and other gatherings. Cars are tucked away, and for a week transportation around camp is by foot. There are no newspapers or radios and the "outside" world fades away. You are at camp!
If you've never been to camp before, here's some useful information for making your stay more comfortable. Camp facilities and all activities are in close contact with the outdoors, but we do provide some modern amenities.
ARRIVAL TIME
PHONE & COMPUTERS
Though your plate will be full with activities while at camp, for those of you who must keep in contact with work or home, there are options. There is first class mail and UPS service. We do ask that laptops and cell phones be kept out of the awareness of other campers. Even if you can't, others want to enjoy this time away from the reminders of work-a-day living.
SPECIAL EVENING ACTIVITIES
One evening of each week, in addition to the evening program, we hold an auction to raise money in support of Scholarships and other special projects. You may want to donate an unusual item or service. On one night each week there are no scheduled activities; however, there generally are camper-led dances and music or singing gatherings.
PACKING SUGGESTIONS
You will need to bring a flashlight to find your way around at night. A battery powered or wind up alarm clock and insect repellent may be useful. If you are on a special diet, you may need to bring your own particular food. An ice chest for drinks and snacks to share at after-dance parties may be handy; there is some refrigeration available. A specific packing list is sent with acceptance information.
CLOTHES & SHOES
Bring plenty of dance clothes, especially socks and t-shirts; there are no washing machines or dryers at the camps. Feel free to bring festive apparel; many people like to dress up in the evenings or for special parties. Shoes must be worn on all the dance floors; flat or low heel shoes are suggested. Some people prefer leather or composition soles for country, athletic shoes for morris, hard soles for sword or some clogging and wooden soled shoes for English clogging. It's a good idea to break in new dance shoes before you arrive, and to bring different, sturdier shoes for wearing on the camp paths. With all these different shoes, think about bringing a bag or backpack to carry around with you during the day as you walk from class to class.
STORES
The nearest stores are a 15-30 minute drive away.
HOUSING
All participants are assigned on-site housing in the month before camp starts. Space is limited; we can't guarantee that all specific requests will be filled. Requests may be made on the Registration Form or with information sent later.
JOBS
In the cooperative spirit of camp life, all campers have a daily job to help camp run smoothly.
Jobs are usually a half hour or less per day, every day, and the same job all week. Jobs are assigned in the month before camp starts; you have the opportunity make specific requests about your job assignment either on the Registration Form or later with your Registration Status Form.
We can't guarantee that all specific job requests will be filled, but please let us know if you have a preference or limitation (e.g., dust allergy, unable to lift heavy objects, can't stay up late, can't get up for breakfast).
RIDES TO CAMP
Please let us know if you can offer a ride to camp. It's very helpful since parking space is limited and those flying to camp sometimes need a ride from the airport. We will help coordinate transportation from airports to camp.
BOOKSTORE
CDSS runs a bookstore at each camp carrying a diverse selection of dance and song recordings and books, morris supplies, postcards and more, along with the books and recordings of our program staff.
GUESTS & PETS
Guests and pets may not be brought to camp.
